Fixer-Upper Sailboats

The Neglected boat you save may become your own

If you're looking for an affordable good old boat that needs major fixing up, you've come to the right place. We're looking for abandoned, deteriorated sailboats in need of a new dreamer to turn them into a dream boat once more. So if you know of one, get in touch! And if you're interested in one of those listed here, follow your heart and follow up. Call the number listed.

Have something to add? Contact us. There's no charge to list a fixer-upper. But you must be selling it for $5,000 or less. Please let us know when your boat goes to a good home and we'll remove the listing.

There's no fee for the buyer either. We just want to help you find the boat of your dreams.

30' Blue Water (Cutter Rig)

Heavily built ocean-going live aboard fiberglass sail boat for sale or trade. Built in 1979, she crossed the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans in a near circumnavigation in the early 1980's. I lived comfortably aboard her from 1985-1992. Custom hand-laid solid (no core) fiberglass hull (1" thick), full keel (attached rudder) with a classic radiused wineglass transom. LOA: 30'; displacement: 9 tons; draft: 4'8".

The hull was professionally refinished and sealed with Interlux 2000 barrier coat. Topsides (cockpit, cabin exterior, foredeck) will need moderate to extensive work. Interior is in good condition: tongue and groove yellow pine and cedar, with mahogany table, compression post and trim. Rigging, ground tackle, manual bilge pumps and assorted hardware are included but will need to be refitted. Sails are intact but will need work or replacement. Ground tackle includes a 45 lb CQR plow. A Honda 10 hp outboard is included and fits into a motor well (no inboard engine). The cutter is on the hard in my backyard and will need to be moved by the end of April 2015.

Catalina 25

I have a 1981 Catalina 25 Standard Rig Fixed Keel in a cradle in a Cleveland boatyard that is expressway adjacent. She has 1990 Evinrude 15 (just a carburetor different from a 9.9 but on sale at the time) Electric Start Long Shaft. She is a dinette interior with a marine head, screens, other cruising/storage options. The Main has 2 reefs, 150 Jib is roller furling, Spinnaker is radial head with double end pole, light and heavier air sheeting. All running and standing rigging has been replaced since original.

I know that ports have leaked and this needs work as does the engine. She has been wet but not sailed in about six seasons. I would like to find my boat a skipper to take her cruising again. She needs someone soon. Please contact for more details, equip list, etc.

Not as much interested in price as not having to pay for dockage again March 1.

Summer 2014

Catalina 25

I have a 1979 Catalina 25 tall mast, swing keel sailboat on an E-Z Load trailer that I would like to part with. It's just a little too big for single sailing at my age. It is seaworthy, but the windows need new gaskets as several of them leak rainwater into the boat. The main has a dutchman flaking system for easy handling, and there are both a working jib and a genoa. The outboard will probably need work as well. It is an Evinrude 9.5hp that connects to controls in the cockpit. The main hatchway is a pop-top for standing clearance. Cushions are in good shape, but the dining table has split and needs to be repaired or replaced.

I bought it in 2007 for $4000.00 and put $800.00 into bringing the trailer up to standard to pass Maryland inspection. Since then, the boat has only been in the water part of one season, and has been transported no more than sixty miles. (In other words, it should still pass inspection.) I would be happy to get $3000.00 for it at this point.

Spring 2014

Islander 28

Length: 28 feet

Price: $5,000 USD

Email: dhall7@ec.rr.com (Don Hall)

Location: Wilmington, NC

A good old boat of this heritage (another Islander 28 ) was featured in Good Old Boat Nov/Dec 2006 , issue 51, pgs. 9-12.

This Hull #19 has been on the hill almost 5 years. That's not good. Needs a new home and TLC. $12K invested in new Yanmar 18HP, 2cyl, diesel=10hrs run time. New shaft, PYI dripless seal and full reversing 3 blade Max-Prop. The expensive part is done. Someone needs to finish. Will sell motor, drive, prop for $5K with boat attached. Paint the bottom, fresh diesel, batteries, step the mast and sail away.

Ericson 23

1976 Ericson 23, fixed keel, hull # 325. I have owned the boat since new. It's in good shape for a 38 year old boat, minor gell coat work needed on deck, hull in good shape. Has a 90%, 150%, 160% Genoa, 2 spinnakers, new main. Set of Signet instruments that need to be checked due to lighting storm. New cushions inside, and set for the cockpit. New 2013 5-horsepower Merc Sailor. Has a trailer which needs to be rewired to who ever uses it. The boat has only been moved from my place at the Lake to the boat club for the last 25 years 0.5 miles. Getting ready to put it back in the water if it quits snowing. Have had snow now every week for 7 months.

Winter 2014

1979 Cal 25

I have a 1979 Cal 25 that I'd like to sell. It needs bottom paint and has a diesel inboard engine that works. A link on the steering is missing so even though the engine works the boat will need to be towed. Basically a great boat that was a gift from my father. I haven't had the time or money to get it working properly but it has a lot of potential - even if just used for parts. Was clean and motored, sailed in 2008 but not since then - just docked in Deale waiting for some TLC. Please contact me to discuss.